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May 2017 News Briefs

Proud Americans – Lloyd Allen, Bill Johnson, and Mike Smith of the UAW Local 900 presented a generous donation of $16,000 dollars for the Veterans Plaza on behalf of their members to Councilman Tom Porter and Councilman John Rhaesa. The plaza is in need of major repairs and this money will help to make it a place that Veterans can be proud of and deserve. Photo by Natalie Rhaesa

Wayne: Its Early Farms and Practices
Join the Wayne Historical Society on Thursday, May 11, at 7:00 p.m. for “Wayne: It’s Early Farms and Practices” program. Come learn about Wayne’s early farming history and the unique things Wayne was known for. Did you know Wayne and Michigan in general were the world’s leading peppermint producer at one time in the 1800’s? Farmers also grew tobacco, and Wayne had a thriving cigar making business at the turn of the century. Also enjoy plenty of pictures of chickens, cows and horses as we go through the photo archive. The event is at the Wayne Historical Museum.

Retiree health care approved
A health plan was approved 4-2 by City Council on April 18 to provide City of Wayne retirees with health care while reducing city spending. Pre-65 retirees would pay $241.50 per month if single, $508 if couple, or $695.50 for family.  Post-65 retirees would pay $128.50 or $257.
This is expected to reduce deficit spending by $465,723.  This plan will start July 1 with the new City of Wayne fiscal calendar.
New finance director
The City Administration has named Kathryn Sample as the new Finance Director for the City of Wayne. Ms. Sample comes to the City from American Indian Health and Family Services in Detroit where she has been employed since 2010. Ms. Sample has a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and an Associates of Applied Science in Accounting.
City Manager Lisa Nocerini said, “We are excited to welcome Kathryn to our leadership team in Wayne. She has over 10 years of private sector experience and accounting experience, and she is a perfect fit for the new focus and direction we are seeking in the Finance Department. During the selection process it was obvious that she thrives in learning and taking on new challenges, improving processes, and making the people in the organization around her better.”
Plante Moran, who has been working with the City of Wayne for two years in the finance capacity, will reduce their time from five days to three days a week. “Plante Moran has done a tremendous job assisting the City in the area of finance. The firm will continue their work with the City for the time being so that Kathryn can transition into her new position,” the City Manager added.
Ms. Sample started her new position on Monday, April 24th.
Museum display boards need sponsors
Change is happening at the Wayne Historical Museum.  One of those changes is updating the display cases in the museum. The Wayne Historical Society is asking for your help in sponsoring display cases.  Themes for the display cases have already been determined. Costs for the displays are for printing professional display boards with pictures and text along with paint and lighting improvements to the case. Prices range from $40  for the Hosie House display up to $135 for the Theaters display. Most of the displays are priced at $70.  Contact the historical society for more information. The museum is open Wednesdays 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Thursdays 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
New businesses and renovations
On April 18, the City Council approved several new businesses and an existing business renovation.  A new Family Dollar Store will locate next to Fresh Choice Foods at 35412 Michigan Avenue East. Family Dollar will make interior renovations and facade alternations on the 8,480 square foot building. Merriman Food Market will be making facade alternations on the 4,373 square foot building at 5774 S. Merriman Road.  Metro Storage, 33577 Michigan Avenue, amended their prior site plans to include a second floor. The square footage will increase from 11,108 square feet to 25,296 square feet and an apartment will be added for an on-site manager.
Let’s get mama married!
Cornwell’s Turkeyville will be the destination of the Wayne Sometimes Travelers on Wednesday, May 17, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Enjoy a lunch of fresh carved turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, vegetable, casserole, rolls, dessert, and coffee or tea while watching a performance of “Getting Mama Married,” a warm loving comedy filled with funny situations and delightful characters. Cost of the trip is $84. For reservations and information, contact the Wayne Senior Services Office at (734) 721-7460.
Annual used car sale
Wayne Westland Federal Credit Union will be holding their 4th annual Used Auto Sale on Saturday, May 20, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. in their parking lot at 500 S. Wayne Rd. There will be over 35 autos from North Brothers Ford featured.  Rates are as low as 2.95% APR. There will be loan officers ready to approve loans. Refreshments will be served. The sale will be held rain or shine.
Percussion group wins state championship
Wayne Memorial Winter Percussion Ensemble competed recently in the Michigan Color Guard Circuit, winning their second consecutive state championship in the Concert Percussion classification. The competition took place at Saginaw Valley State University. The ensemble scored 86.55, six points higher than last year’s championship score and one of the highest scores ever recorded in the classification.
The group is led by ZMB percussion instructor and WMP Director Andy Broekhuizen, Assistant Director Pat Brown, Sarah Oren, Kyle Watts, and A.J. Cook. The group has been rehearsing since December and has had competitions at West Bloomfield, Milford, and Troy Athens before the championship finals. The students involved are: Kiera Matiska, Gina Gunter, Bret Roebuck, Zackary Cuvelier, Audrey Sabal, Monique Hendryx, Stephen Ambrus, Conor Radtke, Karen Hernandez, Sydney Matiska, Diana Orozco, Justin Nicolai, Alex Sambrone, Gavin Vaughan, Cheyenne Kittel, Ciara Raymond, Caleb Anway, and Fabian Anez-Broccardo (8th grade – Franklin Middle School).
To ask how you can become a Friend of Wayne Memorial Instrumental Music, please contact Director Matt Diroff at WMHS, 3001 Fourth, Wayne, MI 48184.
Wayne Rotary gives check to police department
Wayne Rotary representative Lois Van Stipdonk presented a check for  $2825.67 to Police Chief Alan Maciag at the April 4 city council meeting. The check represented funds that were raised at The Dueling Pianos fundraiser held in March.
Gateway to Lenawee
Join the Wayne Sometimes Travelers as they venture on a trip Friday, June 23, to Lenawee. The trip, departing from the Westland Friendship Center at 7:30 a.m., will take you to 755-acre arboretum and botanical garden Hidden Lake Gardens in the Irish Hills for a narrated tour, lunch at JR’s Hometown Grill and Pub (9-oz sirloin steak, pan-fried tilapia or pineapple bourbon chicken), free time shopping in Tecumseh, a tour of Cabela’s-World Foremost Outfitter (along with shopping), and a stop at Russell Stover Candies for an ice cream sundae. The bus will return at 6:30 p.m. Cost of the trip is $69. For reservations and information, contact the Wayne Senior Services Office at (734) 721-7460.
Families Against Narcotics
Opioid addiction is on the rise and affects more than just those who are addicted. The Westland Police Department would like the public to know about the Families Against Narcotics (FAN) chapter that has been formed in Wayne County. FAN is dedicated to eliminating the stigma associated with addiction and providing families struggling with the disease the support and resources they need.
Meetings of the Wayne County FAN chapter are the first Monday of the month 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.at LifeChurch Annex located at 6900 N. Haggerty Rd. in Canton. These meetings are open and free to the public. If you need help, please take advantage of this free program. For more information, please visit www.familiesagainstnarcotics.org
A night of dueling pianos at St. Mary School
Join St. Mary Catholic School as they host three hours of live entertainment by The Dueling Pianos International. Tickets include appetizers, dinner and two drinks. A cash bar will be available. There will also be basket raffles, a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and live auction with exciting prizes. Tickets are $40 per person and $75 per couple. The event will be held on Saturday, May 13, 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic School, 34516 Michigan Avenue, Wayne. For more information and tickets, please email auction@stmarywayne.org
Charity car show coming soon
The Wayne Masonic Temple is hosting a Charity Car Show on June 10 at the lodge located at  37137 Palmer Rd in Westland. The event is 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Anyone who has a car they would like to show off is welcome to participate; a classic car is not required. The fee will be $15 to park and show-off your car; you will also receive a goodie bag. All you have to do is show up that morning, pay the fee, park and enjoy the day sharing your car with others.  For those who like to admire cars, admission is free to walk around and talk to car owners. Parking for viewers will be across the street. Proceeds from the event will go toward programs for the Demolays and Rainbows, the youth groups of the Masons. The poster advertising the event was created by a graphic arts student at the William D. Ford Technical Center.
Memorial Day parade
The annual Wayne/Westland Memorial Day parade will be Sunday, May 28, at 1:00 p.m. The parade will be held in Westland again this year. It will start at the Ford Civic League parking lot on Wayne Rd and head north to the Westland Library Veteran’s Memorial.
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